Minor Degree in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology, or
Environmental Recreation and Tourism Management
Courses Transferrable from Other UMS Campuses to the University of Maine at Machias
The following chart provides general guidance as to which courses offered at other University of Maine System
campuses will be accepted as transferable into the Geographic Information System Minor undergraduate
degree program at the University of Maine at Machias.
As shown, links to course descriptions for all courses are provided. Additional courses beyond those listed may
be acceptable for transfer as assessed by the appropriate course faculty on the campus to which the student is
transferring.
Courses qualifying to fulfill General Education course requirements are handled on a campuswide basis and are available through a separate information sheet.
University of Maine at Machias
Minor Degree in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
(Curriculum drawn from http://machias.edu/minors#gis)
Typical Program showing Acceptable Transfer Courses
(Course transfer information is drawn from https://peportal.maine.edu and confirmed by involved faculty members.)
REQUIRED COURSES
Course
Course Title
Number
GEO 101
Intro to Geography
Course
Credits: 3
Description
GIS 230
GIS Applications I
Course
Credits: 4
Description
GIS 330
GIS Applications II
Course
Credits: 4
Description
GIS 204
Global Positioning
Course
Systems (GPS)
Description
Credits: 1 – 2
GIS 312 *
Municipal Applications
ELECTIVE
of GIS
Course
Description
GIS 420*
Remote Sensing &
ELECTIVE
Image Analysis
Course
Description
GIS 424*
Advanced Projects in
ELECTIVE
GIS
Course
Description
GIS 426*
Community Applications
ELECTIVE
of GIS
Course
Description
GIS 429*
GIS Internship
ELECTIVE
Course
Description
USM
GEO 101
and
GEO 101J
COURSES ACCEPTABLE FOR TRANSFER
UM-A
UM-F
UM
UM-FK
GEO 101
GEO 101S
GEO 102
GEO 100
GEO 201
UM-PI
GEO 168
and
GEO 100
ENV 308
GEO 305
GEO 408
EPB 571
GIS 431*
Intro. to Geostatistics
ELECTIVE
Course
Description
GIS
Special Topics in GIS
201/301/401*
ELECTIVE
Course
Description
Note:
* Students should three GIS electives. Currently offered electives are listed above.
University of Maine at Machias Geographic Information System Minor Course Descriptions
GEO 101 Intro to Geography
A course designed to introduce the student to world regional geography by studying developed and developing realms. Also
surveyed are topical or systematic fields including geomorphology, climatology, geography of development, and urban, historical,
economic, cultural, medical, population, resource and political geography.
Credits: 3
GIS 230 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Applications I
Understanding the fundamentals of a GIS through lecture, readings and computer activities. Students will learn to use a specific GIS
software system and to define and complete a simple GIS project using existing data. This computer-intensive course includes a
detailed discussion of what a GIS is, why GIS is being increasingly used today, sample applications, basic map concepts, how
geographic and descriptive data are stored in the computer, and the steps in a typical GIS project. Project discussions will focus on
defining project objectives, building and managing the digital database, identifying the needed data, locating and acquiring the data in
digital form, performing the analysis, and presenting results.
Prerequisite: knowledge of Windows recommended.
Credits: 4
GIS 330 Geographic Information Systems Applications II
This is an intermediate course for students who have had some introduction to GIS. The course focuses on grid-based data models for
visualization, modeling and analysis. Assessment will be based on problem sets, lab work and a final project. Readings, assignments,
activities and discussions will cover: the raster data model, generating and working with grid data, georeferencing images and grids,
basic remote sensing technologies, visualizing raster data sets, interpolation methods for generating continuous surface data,
mathematical operations with grid data for spatial analysis, map algebra and grid-based modeling, basic modeling, evaluating and
documenting error and uncertainty, ethics and accountability in spatial analysis, modeling and visualization.
Prerequisite: GIS 230 GIS Applications I or permission of instructor
Credits: 4
GIS 204 Introduction to Global Positioning System
Students will gain a knowledge of the Global Positioning System, using handheld receivers in the field to navigate and gather local
information and entering the data into a computer to make maps. Topics to be covered include the basic principles of the technology,
uses of GPS, sources of error, methods used to minimize error and prevent data loss, basic geodesy related to GPS and basic mapping
software. Students will do several outdoor, hands-on activities with handheld Garmin and Trimble receivers, as well as mapping
activities in the laboratory. They will be assessed on their laboratory worksheets, quizzes and a simple service project.
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of Microsoft Windows. Experience with spreadsheets and high school algebra are helpful
Credits: 4
GIS 312 Municipal Applications of Geographic Information Systems
This hands-on course provides the basic skills needed to use geographic information systems software, data and analysis to manage
municipal land records, support decision-making in local government and create zoning maps. Students will primarily use ArcGIS
software, the industry standard, the class will also explore low- and no-cost GIS software appropriate for municipal applications.
Students complete a service project for a real-world client, applying course skills and content. The course is online with five required
all-day laboratory sessions throughout the semester. The class will include streaming lectures, hands-on lab exercises and real world
assignments and projects. Students must have a computer that meets or exceeds the system requirements for ArcGIS software and has
a broadband internet connection, or they must do required exercises and assignments in the laboratory. A one-year student software
license is provided.
Prerequisite: GIS 230, or permission of instructor.
Credits: 3
GIS 420 Remote Sensing & Image Analysis
This course introduces remote sensing technologies used in mapping, with an emphasis on satellite imagery. Using industry standard
software and imagery, students learn basic image analysis for oceanographic modeling, land cover change detection, climate analysis
and similar applications. The course combines lecture, discussion and mapping exercises which cover the remote sensing
technologies and image formats, the physics of light and optics, potential sources of error, analytical methods and applications of
remote sensing in a variety of fields. The semester culminates in a final project.
Prerequisites: GIS 230 and GIS 330, or permission of instructor.
Credits: 4
GIS 424 Advanced Projects in Geographic Information Systems
Students pursue individual, advanced service learning or advanced academic projects in GIS, meeting in class for critiques, troubleshooting labs and seminars relevant to project topics or methods.
Project topics may vary widely. Students will be expected to work closely with a community or faculty client to assess and respond to
their needs, answer questions and provide them with maps, data and documentation. Through this work, students learn to plan,
manage, execute and document a multi-faceted GIS project, and acquire skills with direct applications to their future careers.
Prerequisites: GIS 230 and GIS 330, or permission of instructor.
Credits: 4
GIS 426 Community Applications in Geographic Information Systems
Students work together under the instructor's guidance for a single community client to perform a professional-quality service project
using geographic information systems (GIS) as a decision-support and planning tool. Projects might include a town's comprehensive
plan, environmental conservation planning, economic development, recreation planning, emergency response management or similar
applications where GIS can assist communities in setting priorities, making choices or planning for the future. Students will be
expected to work closely with clients and/or community residents to assess and respond to their needs, answer questions and provide
them with maps, data and documentation. In most cases, students will present their findings to the clients or their constituents.
Through this work, students learn to plan, manage, execute and document a multi-faceted GIS project, skills with direct applications to
the workforce.
Prerequisites: GIS 230 and GIS 330, or permission of instructor.
Credits: 4
GIS 429 Geographic Information Systems Internship
Geospatial technology is now embedded in nearly every field and discipline using a wide array of applications. Increasingly,
employers expect practical skills in applying geospatial tools to solve real-world problems. This course provides students with
experience working with geospatial data, software, hardware and techniques in the workplace. Interns apply for positions (paid or
unpaid) in a work site outside the traditional classroom environment to conduct projects using geospatial technology required
for the internship. Academic credit for an approved work experience is determined by the student's faculty sponsor and the university
coordinator after an examination of the following criteria: nature of the work to be performed, the proposed learning objectives, the
number of weeks involved and the anticipated hours per week. Students must apply to the coordinator for cooperative
education/internship before registering for the class. Students must log 120 hours to earn the required three credits and must
demonstrate satisfactory performance and application of geospatial technology via a student report on the internship experience and
supervisor evaluation and documentation.
Prerequisites: GIS 230, acceptance by internship supervisor and approval by GIS director and director of cooperative
education/internships. GIS 330 or GIS 312 is recommended.
Credits: 3
GIS 431 Introduction to Geostatistics
This course introduces the basic principles of geostatistics, including descriptive statistics such as variance and covariance, spatial
autocorrelation, distribution and dispersion and spatial trends. Students will also learn advanced methods of estimation with spatial
interpolation, as well as methods for analyzing error and uncertainty. The course combines lectures, discussion and laboratory
exercises. Students are assessed on problem sets and a simple final project.
Prerequisites: GIS 230, GIS 330 and MAT 215, or permission of instructor.
Credits: 3
GIS 401 Special Topics in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
This special topics course gives students hands-on experience using the procedures, hardware, and software of GIS including the
following: designing a field study; gathering and storing various forms of GIS data; data management, manipulation, summarization
and analysis; presentation of results. Specific offerings will permit the students to participate in studies of a variety of regional sites or
areas of interest, such as the Roosevelt International Park on Campobello Island, coastal trail systems of Downeast Maine, etc.
Whenever possible the specific topic will be designed and coordinated with local regional agencies.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
Credits: 2 – 3